I'm giving a chanclaso to the insane amount of money in politics. While the national media covered the Wisconsin recall election, very few outlets reported on the vast difference between funds raised. Even though Governor Walker stripped away collective bargaining rights for state employees, restricted access to abortion, weakened sex education for students, and completely divided the state of Wisconsin, his campaign outspent his rival ten to one and raised more than $30 million while his opponent raised $3.9 million. More often than not, money trumps everything in electoral outcomes and Wisconsin elections are no different. Governor Walker ran on putting Wisconsin workers back to work and creating more jobs in the state, but Wisconsin is dead last in job creation. What mattered most: money raised and spent. It's shocking that the race was even as close as it was.
Aplauso
I'm giving an aplauso to Gail Collins for shedding light in her new book, As Texas Goes...: How the Lone Star State Hijacked the American Agenda," on the terrible national political influence Texas has had on the country. I'm from Texas and while I love my home state for its sense of grandeur, our politics are terrible for the state, and most certainly for the country. While most Americans are familiar with the disastrous eight years under President Bush, Texas is also home to the Dick Armeys, Tom Delays, and Joe Bartons of the political world. We love to brag about how great Texas is but until we dramatically reduce the teenage pregnancy rate, become the number one state in college graduates, and have voter turnout over 80% then we will have something to be truly proud of. Thanks Ms. Collins for reminding us that Texas has a lot to accomplish before it sets the national agenda again.